Iowa Worries About Losing Its Franchise (Or Why Harkin Endorsed Dean)

[KittyWampus]

Moderators: There are about 9 sentences here.

Note: It was reported that Harkin had personally wanted to endorse Gephardt (he didn't deny that sentiment)

Iowa Worries About Losing Its Franchise
By ADAM NAGOURNEY

Published: January 18, 2004


For all the charm and idealism that have become attached to this distinctly American practice, the caucuses in Iowa, and the New Hampshire primaries that follow eight days later, are under siege as never before.....

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But a confluence of factors this year may overcome the inertia that has held back the forces of change in the past, giving new impetus to those Democrats who argue that this system is no more democratic - with a small "d" - than the nominating process it replaced.

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"If Clark is the nominee, Iowa certainly becomes less important," said David Yepsen, a columnist for The Des Moines Register who has been covering the caucuses since 1975. "It may even become irrelevant. He will be the first guy who has ever pulled it off."

If Howard Dean wins the Iowa caucuses and follows that with a victory in New Hampshire - the one-two punch strategy that he is looking for - he will be on his way to becoming his party's nominee. And if he wins the presidency, "the Iowa caucuses are guaranteed for another four years,'' said Jenny Backus, a Democratic consultant.

Senator Tom Harkin, the popular Iowa Democrat, said that before he gave his endorsement to Dr. Dean, he received a promise from the former Vermont governor that he would leave the system alone should he be elected president.

"I just couldn't endorse someone who did not want to keep the Iowa caucus system,'' Mr. Harkin said. "I feel too strongly about it."

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http://nytimes.com/2004/01/18/weekinreview/18nago.htm

[IndianaGreen]

1. Skipping Iowa is the smartest move made by Wes Clark so far

I am tired of all the politicians that go to Iowa every four years yelling "ethanol" to pander to the state's major special interests. Ethanol is neither environmentally friendly nor a good deal to the taxpayers. I will never forget the 2000 GOP Iowa debate when after John McCain gave a detailed explanation of his opposition to federal subsidies to ethanol producers, George Bush replied with a single sentence: "I am an ethanol man!"

Bush won the pandering Iowa contest!

[Larkspur]

3. Iowa is part of the United States and it and New Hampshire help

insurgent candidates challenge the establishment.

Bypassing Iowa by Clark shows the general his arrogance and that his late entry left him ill prepared to organize in that state.

Unlike Clark who rode a media wave into the Dem Prez race, Dean worked his way up the polls the democratic way -- meeting with people, listening to and addressing their concerns.

[Leilani]

2. Another Deal Made for an Endorsement

But Iowa used to be about special interests & wasting time standing around talking to people.

[KittyWampus]

4. That Is What It Appears Like

And think how the Dean team tried to create the impression Carter was endorsing them... like they were going to strong arm Carter?

Or maybe they just wanted the photo op?